Clinton Morrison today revealed his frustration at losing his place in the Blues team.

But the Republic of Ireland striker said he would bite the bullet for the time being and try to prove his worth to Steve Bruce as a substitute.

In November and December, Morrison and Emile Heskey were devastating as the front pair. They scored nine goals between them in eight games before Walter Pandiani arrived on loan from Racing Santander.

Bruce then opted to start Pandiani and although the Uruguayan has scored three goals in nine outings, his overall contribution is being scrutinised closely.

Morrison came on for Pandiani with half-an-hour remaining in Saturday's dreary 0-0 draw against Portsmouth. He said: "That was much better for me. It's still hard to get into a game, but I felt sharp and made some good runs into the channels.

"I am frustrated. I felt I formed a great partnership with Emile. We were both scoring goals and setting one another up.

"All of a sudden, you're dropped and it's a kick in the teeth. You think 'hold on, what's happening?'

"You've got to be strong and deal with it. Then again, people say 'but you're different when you've got the green shirt of Ireland on'.

"When I put that green shirt on, I know I'm going to be playing each time. That breeds confidence.

"I know I'm not just going to have five or 10 minutes here and there. Nor am I going to be the one substituted, no matter how I'm playing.The manager has faith in me for Ireland.

"I'm not saying Steve Bruce hasn't got faith in me. He paid a lot of money for me and wants me to stay here.

"But at the moment I am frustrated, I just want to play games."

With a year to go on his contract, it has been speculated that Morrison might quit St Andrew's.

"I've said time and time again that I'm happy to stay at Birmingham," he insisted. "I like the area. I've got a nice flat here.

"Obviously the other side of it is down to football. I want to play, as anyone does, at Birmingham.

"But you won't hear me moaning as I would have done a couple of years ago, saying this and that.

"They only way I can prove to the manager that I should be in the team is to do it on the pitch when I get into the team."

Morrison said that Blues display against Portsmouth, which has been roundly

was mystifying.

"It was lacklustre," he accepted. "The manager asked just how could we perform so well at Chelsea and then play like that.

"I don't know really. We'd had a lot of rest since Chelsea, we'd been prepared well but we just didn't go out there and put the right performance in."

Morrison said he didn't feel Blues were coasting in to the season's end.

"The manager has said don't let it be like that because the holidays aren't here yet.

"We want to finish higher than we did last season. We've got to pick ourselves up and keep on going."